Financing Universal Health Coverage: Lessons and Pitfalls

With DiscussantAdam Wagstaff
Research Manager, Human Development & Public Services team
Development Research Group, World Bank

Hosted byMead Over
Senior Fellow
Center for Global Development

The idea of achieving universal health coverage was introduced in high income countries after World War II and has since influenced rationale for health coverage policy worldwide. However, many health financing reforms introduced in developing countries - often involving ideas borrowed from their developed neighbors - have exacerbated social inequalities and fragmentation in the name of "starting insurance." Fortunately, recent reforms in several low and middle income countries provide an alternative approach, combining streamlining revenue sources and using output- and needs-oriented provider payment. The WHO noted in the World Health Report 2000 that "the path to universal coverage must be home grown," but should still be guided by lessons from experience. Joseph Kutzin will illustrate examples, best practices and pitfalls.